Crossover analysis in the Canary-Azores region of ERS-1 altimetric data

ERS-1 satellite altimetry data corresponding to the second
multidisciplinary phase of the satellite, were used over a zone in the North Atlantic,
during fifteen months of mission. They have been corrected of all modelled effects.
A data validation using criteria related to the observed and average statistical values
has been done. Mean arcs are obtained from one year’ s data to take out the seasonal
effects. With this data, crossover points between ascending and descending arcs are
then determined. Residual differences are adjusted by least-squares. Two parameters
are obtained for every arc. The mean sea surface obtained with the adjusted residuals
is tested over the Canary Islands region with a gravimetric geoid.